Automatic weighing device for paving plants



A1311] 9, 1935. M MADSEN ET AL I 1,997,?

AUTOMATIC-WEIGHING DEVICE FOR PAVING PLANT S Filed Aug. 24, 1931 6Sheets-Sheet l 44 5.5 W/ZAEGLEP,

April 9, 1935. M, MADSEN ETAL AUTOMATIC WEIGHING DEVICE FOR PAVINGPLANTS Filed Aug. 24, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ApriE 9 1935. M, MADSEN ETAL AUTOMATIC WEIGHING DEVICE FOR PAVING PLANTS Filed Aug. 24, 1931 6Sheets-Sheet 3 April 9, 1935. M. MADSEN ETAL T1997$@@5 AUTOMATICWEIGHING DEVICE FOR PAVING PLANTS Filed Aug. 24, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 lA90 4 0 3 LW "L .3. we

Apnl 9, 1935. M. MADSEN ET AL AUTOMATIC WEIGHING DEVICE FOR PAVINGPLANTS Filed Aug. 24, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 9, 1935. M. MADSEN ETAL 1,997,065

AUTOMATIC WEIGHING DEVICE FOR PAVING PLANTS Filed Aug. 24, 1951 6Sheets-Sheet 6 Mm M, ,2? 7 6 x a i ,w/Z 0 p w p z 43 r4 3; z 5% v, o w WW V W, P. 4 4X%5 F A m a 7 ,l m Q a 5 W A m 7% W 2 a. a 5 2 aribr 5 aPatented Apr. 9, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUTOMATIC WEIGHING DEVICE FOR PAVING PLANTS Martin Madsen,

ardson, CaliL,

Huntington Park, Calif., a corporation of California Application August24,

16 Claims.

Our invention relates to weighing devices, and more particularly to anapparatus for weighing aggregates for cement concrete, asphaltic cementconcrete, and for the proportioning of materials in various lines ofmanufacture, such,

for example, as the making of glass.

Devices for weighing materials in mixing cement and asphaltic concreteas ordinarily used are manually operated. These devices, while morereliable than known methods of proportioning by volume, are subject tohuman error.

It is important in mixing aggregates for the above-named products thatthe many variables in sand, rock, and gravel be reckoned with to insurecontinued uniformity in the composition of the product over longperiods.

It is with the above important features in view that we have designedour automatic weighing device which has for its primary chject theprovision of automatic apparatus for individually weighing a pluralityof materials successively delivered from a plurality of bins into aweigh-hopper to form an aggregate suitable for subsequent mixing to forma certain product, such as asphaltic cement.

It is another object of our invention to provide an automatic weighingdevice which includes a plurality of aggregate bins, each of which has agate member positioned for delivering material from the bin into aweigh-hopper, the weigh-hopper being suitably supported by theweigh-beam of a scale, in such a manner that the weight of the materialdelivered from the bins is registered through the weigh-beam on thescale.

It is another object of our invention to provide in a device of thecharacter described in the above paragraph means for successivelyopening and closing the gate members of the various bins so that theweight of the material delivered from each bin during the period thateach gate is open is separately registered on the scale.

It is another object of our invention to provide automatic means forclosing the gate member of each bin when the weight of the materialdelivered therefrom reaches a certain predetermined weight.

It is another object of our invention to provide means operable to allowonly one of the gate members to be opened at one time.

It is another object of our invention to provide automatic means forlooking all of the gate members in closed position and automaticallyoperated means for successively releasing the 1931, Serial No. 558,955(Cl. 249-14) locking means to allow each of the gate members to beopened and closed.

It is another object of our invention to provide automatic means forlocking each of the gate members in its open position during the periodin which the material is flowing therefrom, this locking means beingautomatically releasable when the weight of the material delivered fromthe gate member reaches a predetermined weight.

It is another object of our invention to provide means for stopping theoperation of the weighing device should the material cease to flow'through any one of the gate members before the required amount ofmaterial has been delivered therethrough, the gate member remaining openuntil the deficiency has been made up by supplying more material to thatparticular bin.

It is another object of our invention to provide an automaticcontrolling means for opening and closing the gate members, whichcontrolling means is capable of proportioning the aggregate in fourdifierent mixes, any one of which can be delivered between batches atthe option of the operator in charge.

It is another object of our invention to provide automatic means forpreventing the operation of the device after one complete batch of theaggregate has been delivered to the weigh-hopper until the weigh-hopperhas been emptied and is in readiness for another batch.

It is another object of our invention to provide manual control meansfor operating the automatic gate opening and closing means so that thesequence of weighing the aggregate is at the option of the operator.

There are other objects which will be made evident in the following partof the specification and the appended claims, which might be moreclearly understood with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the automatic weighing device,showing the included aggregate hopper, the weighing device, and theweigh-hopper, in combination with an asphalt mixing plant which includesa separate weighing device for hot asphalt.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the device r Fi 4 is a verticalsectional view taken as indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view, partly in section,

taken as indicated by the arrow 5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken through one of the gate operatingelements of the invention, this view being taken as indicated by theline 6-6 of Fi 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view through the pressure chamber of one of theoperating elements, this view being taken as indicated by the line 1-1of Fig. 6.

Figs. 8, 9, and are respectively fragmentary sectional views taken asindicated by the lines 8--8, 9--9, and |ll|0 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 11 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating the operation of thecontrol mechanism and the gate operating mechanism of the invention.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, we

show a mixing plant, suitable for the production of asphaltic cementgenerally designated by the numeral II. The mixing plant includes amixing device indicated by the numeral I2, above which is supported by asuitable framework I3 an aggregate hopper Id. The aggregate hopper Itcomprises a plurality of separate bins, the number of which depends uponthe number of aggregates necessary to form a desired product. In thedrawings we have shown four of the bins I5, I6, I1, and I8. Each ofthese bins is provided with a delivery chute through which material fromthe respective bins is adapted to flow by gravity. The delivery chutesare arranged in pairs, for convenience and conservation of space, thechutes 20 of the bins I5 and I6 being aligned in the same verticalplane, and the chutes 20 of the bins I1 and I8 being aligned in the samevertical plane when viewed as in Fig. 1.

Normally closing each of the delivery chutes 20 is a gate member 2|.Each of the gate members 2| is hinged to one of the chutes 20 by a rod22 extending upwardly from each side of the gate, the upper ends of therods 22 being pivoted to each side of the chute 26, as shown at 23, insuch manner that the gates are capable of being swung outwardly to openthe chute 20. The gates 2| closing the delivery chutes 20 of the bins I8and I3 are adapted to be swung in a leftward direction as viewed in Fig.1, while the gate members 2| associated with the bins I7 and I5 areadapted to be swung rightwardly as viewed in Fig. 1.

Pivotally connected to each of the gate members 2| is a rod 25 extendingto a remote point, and each rod being provided with a gripping portion26 provided for the manual operation thereof.

It is, of course, understood that this feature, as well as the number,relative positions, and details of construction of the gate members, isimmaterial, inasmuch as various types of gate members, together withvarious means for opening these gates, could be used without departingfrom the broad concept of the invention.

Supported on each side of the aggregate hopper i 4 in the manner shown,by a suitable bracket 28, is a weigh-beam hanger 29, each providing abearing 39 adapted to fulcrum a weigh-beam arm 3| on each side of thehopper It as shown. Each of the weigh-beam arms 3| is provided with aload and 32 extending inwardly on one side of the fulcrum to a pointapproximately midway between the chutes l5 and I6 and I1 and I8, andhaving a lever end 33 extending outwardly on the other side of thefulcrum 30 to a point beyond the end of the hopper I8, as shown,Extending laterally between the extreme outer ends of the lever ends 33of the arms 3| is a cross member 34 which is rigidly bolted, as shown,to the arms 3|, the arms 3| and the cross member 34 cooperating to formthe weigh-beam 35 of the device.

Journalled by suitable bearings 36 to the load ends of the weigh-beam 35on each side of the hopper I4 is a hanger 31 to which is secured bybrackets 38 a weigh-hopper 39. The weighhopper 39 is supported by theweigh-beam 35 in a position to receive, by gravitational flow, materialfrom the bins I5, IE, IT, and I8 when their respective gates 20 areopened. The weigh-hopper 39 is provided with gate means in the form of ahinged gate 40, similar to the gate members 2| of the delivery chutes20. The gate 40 is manually operated by a lever 4| pivoted to theweighhopper 39 and connected to the gate 40 by a link 42 in the mannershown. As will be seen, the gate 60 of the weigh-hopper is positioneddirectly over the mixing device I2, so that the material may bedelivered from the weigh-hopper by gravitational flow into the mixingdevice.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a hot asphalt bucket 35 is suspended by aweigh-beam 46, suitably fulcrumed to a bracket d1, secured to theaggregate hopper Hi as shown. The lever end 48 of the weigh-beam 36 isconnected to the operating mechanism of a suitable dial scale 89 whichin turn is connected to a bracket 50 secured to the framework I3 in sucha manner that the weight of the hot asphalt delivered to the bucket 55is registered on the scale 39 in a well known manner.

The bucket is provided with a suitable valve or gate means (not shown)manually operable by a lever 5| which is shown as extending to a pointadjacent the operating rods 25. The bucket 45 is preferably incased by asteam jacket (not shown) adapted to maintain the temperature until theproper time for delivering into the mixing device. A spreader 52 issuitably supported under the bucket 35 and is adapted to distribute theasphalt from the bucket 35 into the mixer in such a manner as tofacilitate the mixing of the material therein.

Coming now to a description of the more pertinent parts of ourinvention, with particular reference to Figs. 3, 4, and 5, we show abracket member 60 fixedly secured to the hopper I6 adjacent the crossmember 34 of the weigh-beam 35. The bracket 60 has a depending portion6| which provides an inverted cup-shaped depression 82 having an annularside wall 63 and a top wall 64. The bracket 60 is also provided with avertically extending bore 55 on each side of the depression 62, the axesof these bores being parallel to the axis of the depression 62. Slidablypositioned in the bores 55 is a pair of posts 66 which extend upwardlythrough the bores 55 and are provided with laterally extending pins inthe upper ends thereof, as shown, to limit the downward movement thereofrelative to the bores 35. Fixedly secured to the lower ends of the posts66 is a spring housing 57 adapted to contain the operating mechanism ofany suitable type of scale. Provided on the outer face of the housing 61is a suitably graduated scale dial 68 and projecting through the centerthereof is a shaft carrying an indicator 69 in the usual manner. Formedon the means to the central portion of the cross member 34 is anoutwardly extending rod 15 which is plvotally connected as indicated at16 to the operating mechanism of the mentioned scale in such a mannerthat the scale housing 81 moves vertically relative to the bracketmember 60, decreasing and increasing the height of the chamber 73 androtating the indicator 69 relative to the scale dial 68 to indicatevarious weights as the lever end 33 of the .weigh-beam raises and lowerssubject to the increase and decrease of the weight of the material inthe weigh-hopper 39.

Confined within the expansible chamber I3 is a sylphon bellows 80 of awell known type, which, for purposes of description, we will hereinafterterm the master sylphon. Provided on the upper and lower end plates Illand 82 of the master sylphon 80 are a plurality of lugs 83 which extendthrough openings 84 in the plates 8| and 82, these lugs and theassociated openings being provided for the purpose of maintaining thesylphon in its proper spaced relationship relative to the walls of theexpansible chamber 13. The end walls BI and 82 of the master sylphon 80are preferably interchangeable for convenience of assembly, and each isprovided with a central boss 85 having an axial threaded openingtherethrough which communicates with the interior of the bellows of thesylphon. The opening in the lower end plate, such as the plate 82, maybe closed with a plug 86, and threaded into the opening in the upperplate BI is a nipple 01' which, in turn, is connected to a supply pipe88 in the manner shown in Figs. 4 and 5, for a purpose to be hereinafterdescribed.

Secured to the aggregate hopper I4 adjacent the scale housing 61 is apair f depending brackets 90 and SI Fixedly supported by the brackets 90and extending at right angles thereto is a supporting member 92. Rigidlybolted to each of the suitably formed outer ends of the supportingmember 92 is a pair of gate operating elements generally designated bythe numerals 93 and 94, and 95 and 96, respectively. All of theseoperating elements are identical in form and details of construction,and for the purpose of simplicity we will describe the construction or"one of the elements, such as the element 93, singly, with reference toFigs. 6 to 10, inclusive.

The gate operating element 93 includes 2. casing 93a in which there isformed a cylinder 9'? having an open end 91a in which a piston 98 isadapted to reciprocate. The piston 98 is provided with a connecting rod99 secured to the piston by any suitable means such as a wrist pin I00of the type shown. The connecting rod 99 is adapted to extend outwardlythrough the open end of the cylinder as the piston 98 is reciprocated.

Formed in the rearward end of the casing 93a adjacent the closed end ofthe cylinder is an outwardly extending projection I 0!. Formed in theprojection IOI are three suitably spaced, parallel bores I02, I03, andI04. These bores extend inwardly from the outer end of the projectionI0! to a point adjacent the center of the cylinder 91 and with theiraxes disposed at right angles to the axis of the cylinder. 'One of thebores, such as the bore I 02, is connected to the cylinder 97 by alaterally extending opening I to form a fluid passage I06 communicatingwith the cylinder. Another of the bores, such as the bore I03, isconnected at its inner end with a laterally extending bore I01 extendingto the exterior of the casing 93a and which, together with the bore I03,forms a discharge port I08. The remaining bore, such as the bore I 04,is connected at its inner end with a lateral bore I09 extending to theexterior of the casing 93a, and which, together with the bore I04, formsa relay duct IIO of the invention. Threadedly secured to the outer endof the extension IN is a cap member 2, the, inner surface of which isspaced from the outer end of the extension IOI and cooperates therewithto form a closed valve chamber II 3 communicating with the outer ends ofthe bores I02, I03, and I04. Provided in the cap H2 is a fluid inletorifice II4 communicating with the valve chamber I3, and communicatingwith the orifice I I4 is a threaded opening for the reception of anipple included in a steam delivery manifold H5.

Formed coaxially with the extension ml and parallel to the bores I02,I03, and I04, is a bore I extending from the valve chamber II3 throughthe casing 93a to the exterior thereof at the opposite side. J ournalledin the bore I20 and extending into the valve chamber H3 is a valve shaftI 2I to which is keyed a valve member I22 adapted for rotationalmovement within the chamber H3.

The valve member I22 is preferably in the form of a circular disc fromwhich a peripheral segment is cut away to form a peripheral notch I23extending substantially 90 around the circumference thereof. Formed onthe inner surface of the valve I22 is a partially circular channel I24,the ends of which terminate at points closely adjacent the notch I23.

As will be clearly seen by inspecting Figs. 8 and 9, the relationshipbetween the notch I23, the channel I24, and the bores I02, I03, and I04,is such that when the valve member is in its normal position, shown insolid lines in Figs. 8 and 9. the fluid passage I00 is in communicationwith the discharge port I 08 through the channel I24, and the fluidinlet orifice H4 is in communication with the relay duct IIO through thechamber II 3 and the notch I23, there being no communication possiblebetween the channel I24 and the chamber H3 due to the manner in whichthe peripheral portion of the inner surface of the valve member seatsagainst the outer surface of the projection IOI. A compression spring Imay be positioned in the valve chamber II3 between the valve member I22and the cap member H2, in the manner shown, to compress the valve membertightly against the projection MI. I

In order to reduce the width of the bores I02, I03, and 34 at the outerends thereof, an apertured element I26 may be optionally provided in themanner shown.

The outer surface of the extension IOI may be counterbored to receivethe element I26 which is provided with a bore I21 adapted for coaxialalignment with the bore I20 and through which the shaft I2I extends. Theelement I26 is provided with three peripheral slots I28 adapted forcoaxial positioning relative to the bores I02, I03, and I04 to providerestricted continuations there of.

Adjacent the cylinder 97 formed either intogrally in the casing 930, orformed in a separate casting secured thereto, is a pressure chamber I30,the longitudinal axis of which is parallel to the axis of the cylinder97. The diameter of the lower portion of the pressure chamber I isreduced to form an annular shoulder I III. Po-

sitioned above the shoulder I3I is a. sylphon bellows I32 of a wellknown type, having an outer end plate I33 which is secured to and closesthe outer end of the chamber I30, as shown. The sylphon I32 is alsoprovided with an inner end plate I34 which is movable withinthe chamberI30 as the bellows portion of the sylphon I32 expands and contracts.The'end plate I34 is provided with a central projection I35 adapted tocontact the inner face of the outer end plate to limit the contractionof the sylphon, the expansion thereof being limited by contact betweenthe inner end plate I34 and the annular shoulder I3I. The outer endplate is provided with an opening I36 threaded to receive a nipple I31which in turn is adapted for connection to the supply 88. The lower openend of the chamber I30 is internally threaded, as shown at I38, toreceive an adjustment nut I39. Confined between the nut I39 and theouter face of the inner end plate I34 of the sylphon I32, is acompression spring I40. This spring I90 and adjustment nut I39 areprovided for the purpose of providing a variable resistance to theexpansive action of the sylphon I32 to cause the sylphon to respond tovarious pressures, the degree of resistance set up by the spring againstthe sylphon being varied by the adjustment of the nut I39.

Threadedly connected to the inner end plate of the sylphon is an arm I50which extends through and is slidable in a central opening I5I in thenut I39. Connected to the outer end of the arm I50 by a link I52 is acrank I53 which in turn is keyed or otherwise secured to the outer endof the valve shaft I2I, the arm I50 and the associated link and crankbeing operable to rotate the valve shaft I2I as the sylphon I32 expandsand contracts.

Associated with the valve shaft I2! is a valve tripping mechanism I55which includes a trip member in the form of a disc I56 secured to theshaft I2I, and having a portion of the periphery thereof cut away, asbest shown in Fig. 7, to provide a pair of spaced finger portions I51and I58 and an arcuate surface I59 concentric with the axis of the shaftI 2 I. The finger portions extend on each side of a boss I 60 formedintegrally with the casing 93a, the axis thereof being parallel with theaxis of the cylinder 91 and the chamber I 30 and perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the shaft I2 I. The finger portions are adapted foralternate contact with the boss I60 for the purpose of limiting therotational movement of the valve I22. Formed in the boss I60 is an axialbore I6I having an open end. The upper portion of the bore I6I,including the open end, is internally threaded to receive a nut I62.Slidably positioned in the bore I6! is a plunger I63 having a pin I6 3which projects outwardly through an opening I65 in the closed end of thebore adjacent the arcuate surface I59. Confined between the nut I62 andthe plunger I63 within the bore I6I is a compression spring I66 adaptedto constantly resiliently force the pin I64 outwardly. Provided in thearcuate surface I59 of the disc I56 is a depression I61 into which thepin I64 normally extends. The relationship between the depression I61,the disc I56, and the valve I22 is such that when the valve I22 is inits normal position, one of the fingers of the disc, such as the fingerI58, is in contact with the boss I60, and the pin I69 rests in thedepression I61.

Returning now to a description of the association between the pluralityof gate controlling elements 93, 99, 95, and 96, and the gate members,

with reference to Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6, we show the supporting member 92as being provided on each end thereof with bearings I10 and HI. Formedon the supporting member substantially at the center thereof is abearing I12. J ournalled in the bearings I10 and "I with theirrespective inner ends journalled in the bearing I12, as shown, is a pairof stub shafts I13 and I14. The outer end of the shaft I13 projectsthrough the bearing adjacent the outer ends of the cylinders 91 of theelements 93 and 94 and intermediate the axes thereof while the shaft I14projects outwardly in a similar manner adjacent the outer ends of thecylinders of the elements 95 and 96, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Keyed to the outer end of the shaft I13, as shown, is a lever I which ispivotally connected at its outer end to the connecting rod 99 of thepiston 98 associated with the operating element 93. Also keyed to theshaft I13 is a lever I8I to the outer end of which is pivotallyconnected one end of a link I82, the other end of the link beingconnected to the gate member of one of the bins, such as the bin I5.

Secured to a sleeve I83 surrounding the shaft I13, as shown in Fig. 4,is a lever I84, the outer end of which is pivotally connected to theconnecting rod 99 associated with the adjacent operating element 99. Thesleeve I83 and the lever I84 secured thereto are fully rotatablerelative to the shaft I13 and the bearing I10. Likewise secured to thesleeve I83 is a lever I85, to the outer end of which is pivotallysecured one end of a link I86, the other end of this link beingpivotally connected to one of the gate members 2|, Zuch as the gatemember associated with the in I6.

The operating elements 95 and 96 are respectively connected to the gatemembers of the bins I1 and I8 in identically the same manner as theelements 93 and 94 are connected to the gate members of the bins I5 andI6, there being levers I and 'I9I keyed to the shaft I19, the formerlever being pivoted to the connecting rod 99 associated with the element95, and the latter lever being connected by a link I92 to the gatemember of the bin I1. Levers I93 and I99 are secured to a sleeve similarto the sleeve I83, the former lever being connected to the connectingrod 99 associated with the element 96 and the latter lever beingconnected by a link I95 to the gate member of the bin I8.

As was before stated, the fluid supply pipe 88 leading from the mastersylphon 80 is connected in parallel to each of the sylphons I 32 of theoperating elements 93, 99, 95, and 96, and the fluid inlet orifices N6of each of the valve chambers I I3 of these operating elements isconnected in parallel to a steam manifold H5, diagrammatically shown inFig. 11. As shown also in this figure, the discharge port I08 of one ofthe elements, such as the element 93, is connected by a fluid conductingmeans in the form of a pipe 200 to an exhaust member 20I. The valvechambers II 3 of each of the operating elements are connected in seriesin the following manner. The relay duct I I0 of the element 93 isconnected by a pipe 202 to the discharge port I08 of the element 94, therelay duct I I 0 of the element 99 is connected by a pipe 203 to thedischarge port I08 of the element 95, the relay duct IIO of the element95 is connected by a pipe 204 to the discharge port I08 of the element96, and the relay duct I I0 of the last element in the series, theelement 96 being closed in any suitable manner,

' 69 in a well known manner.

such as by a threaded plug, indicated at 205 in Fig. 11.

The operation of our invention is as follows: With the valve members I22of each of the operating elements 93, 94, 95, and 96 in their respectivenormal positions, as shown in Fig. 11, it will be seen that steam fromthe manifold H5 entering the valve chamber I I3 of the element 93through the orifice II4 will be delivered therefrom through the notchesI23, the relay duct I I0, the pipe 202,'and into the discharge port I06of the adjacent element 94, from whence it passes through the channel I24, the fluid passage I 06,

and into the cylinder 9i associated therewith, as indicated by thearrows A, forcing the piston 88 outwardly and holding the gate member ofthe bin I6 connected thereto in closed position. Likewise, steam fromthe manifold II5 entering the chambers I I3 of the elements 94 and S5 isdelivered in the same manner to the cylinders 91 of the adjacentelements, forcing the pistons 86 associated with the elements 95 and 96outwardly to hold the gate members 20 of the bins I! and I8,respectively, in their closed positions. It will be seen that the valveI22 of the element 93 in its normal position places the cylinder 91thereof in open communication with the exhaust member 20I through thepipe 200, the discharge port I08, the channel I24, and the fluid passageI06. This allows the gate member 2I associated with the bin I5 to beswung to its open position indicated by the dotted lines B of Fig. 3, bymanipulating the manual push rod 25 connected thereto. The openingmovement of the gate member 21 is transmitted through the associatedlink I82 to the levers I9I and I80, which respectively move to theirdotted line positions indicated at C in Fig. 3. The movement of theselevers is transmitted to the piston 98 of the operating element 93,moving this piston inwardly in the cylinder 91 into the position inwhich it is shown in solid lines in Fig. 6.

When the gate member 2I of the bin I5 is thus opened, material from thebin I5 flows into the weigh-hopper 39. As this material flows into theweigh-hopper the increasing weight thereof is registered through theweigh-beam 35, the ends 32 of the arms 3I swinging downwardly and thelever ends 33 and the cross member 34 swinging upwardly, ascorrespondingly indicated mechanism of the scale to weigh the materialbeing delivered into the weigh-hopper, the weight being registered onthe scale dial 68 by the pointer The upward movement of the cross member34 of the weigh-beam 35 and the consequent upward movement of thehousing 61 relative to the bracket member 60 decreases the volume of thechamber I3 and thus compresses the master sylphon 80. As the compressionof the sylphon 80 occurs, oil or other suitable fluid is expelled underpressure from the interior thereof into the pipe 88 and is deliveredsimultaneously to the openings I36 communicating with the interior ofthe sylphons I32 of each of the operating elements 93, 94, 95, and 96.

As before stated, the sylphons I32 of each of the elements 93, 94, 95,and 96 are adjusted by means of the spring I40 and the nut I39 torespond to certain various fluid pressures, so that when the fluidpressure in the pipe 88 is built up to a sumcient point, subject to theincreasing weight of material in the weigh-hopper, to expand the sylphonI 32 in the element 93, the fluid pressure will not be suflicientlygreat to affect the sylphons I32 of the operating elements 94, 95, and96, respectively, associated with the closed gate members of the binsI6, I], and I9. As the fluid pressure is built up in the pipe 88 to apoint sufficiently great to cause the sylphon I32 of the element 93associated with the bin 56 to begin to expand, this expansive movementis resisted by the valve tripping mechanism i55, the frictionalengagement of the pin I64 with the depression i6! and the tension of thespring i66 being such that a retarding force is set up against theexpansion of the sylphon. When the fluid pressure is built up in thepipe 88 to a point sufliciently great to overcome this retarding force,the excess of pressure therein will cause the sylphon to quickly expand,causing the arm I50 to move in the direction of the arrow F and byreason of the connecting link I52 and crank I53 causing the disc I56 tosnap from the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 7 to the positionindicated by the dotted lines G of this flgure, which rotates the valvemember I22 through the shaft I2I to the position indicated by the dottedlines H of Figs. 8 and 9, and in the diagram of Fig. 11.

It will be seen that with the valve I22 of the operating element 93 inthe position H, the inlet orifice II4 communicates with the cylinder 97through the notch I 23 and the fluid passage I06, thus delivering steamunder pressure into the cylinder 96 and forcing the piston 98 outwardly.The outward movement of the piston 98 and the connecting rod 99 returnslevers I80 and I8 I, and the link I82 from the positions indicated bythe dotted lines in Fig. 3 to their respective normal positions shown bysolid lines in this figure, thus moving the gate H of the bin I from itsopen position B to its normal closed position.

While the valve I22 of the operating element 93 is in the position H,the relay duct I I0 thereof communicates with the exhaust member 20!through the channel I 24, the discharge port I08, and the pipe 200;therefore the steam pressure in the cylinder 91 of the adjacent element94 will be exhausted through the fluid passage I06, the channel I24, thedischarge port I08 of the valve associated with the element 94, the pipe202, and the relay duct IIO, the channel I24 and the discharge port I08of the valve associated with the element 93. With the steam thusexhausted from the cylinder 91 of the element 94, the gate member 2! ofthe bin I6 is free to be opened by the rod 25 connected thereto, theopening of this gate moving the associated levers I84 and I85 and thelink I86 to the respective positions in which they are shown in dottedlines K of Fig. 3.

The operation of the operating element 94 associated with the bin I6 andalso the operation of the elements 95 and 96 associated with thesucceeding bins H and I8, is identical with the operation of the element93 just described.

From the above described operation of the operating element 93 withparticular reference to the manner in which the elements 93, 94, 95, and96 are connected in series by the pipes 202, 203, and 204, it should beclearly understood that as the element 93 is actuated to close the gatemember 2| of the bin I5, the cylinder 91 of the element 94 is exhaustedto allow the gate of the bin 16 to be opened. Likewise, when the element94 is actuated to close the gate of the bin 16, the cylinder 96 of theelement 95 is exhausted to allow the gate of the bin IT to be opened.

-In the same manner, the steam pressure in the the invention and haveshown only a single operative mechanism for operating the control meansand the gate operating means of the apparatus. It should be understood,however, that we do not wish to limit our invention to any of thedetails of construction disclosed herein, as the true scope of ourinvention is defined by the following claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. An automatic gate closer for use with a weighing device of thecharacter described having a receiving-hopper equipped with a deliveryopening, a weigh-hopper placed to receive material from said opening ofsaid receiving-hopper, a gate member for said opening, and means foropening said gate member, including: a compressible container adapted tobe filled with a liquid and being connected to said weigh-hopper so thatthe liquid in said container will be placed under pressure proportionateto the weight of material received in said weigh-hopper from saidreceiving-hopper; a cylinder-piston mechanism equipped with a valve forcontrolling the flow of an actuating fluid thereinto, said mechanismhaving a moving part connected to said gate member; an expansiblechamber member connected to said container so as to be expanded by thepressure of liquid therein; yieldable means resisting the expansion ofsaid expansible chamber member; and means connecting said expansiblechamber member to said valve so as to operate the valve in a manner toproduce a pressure of said actuating fluid in said cylinder-pistonmechanism in a direction to move said moving part thereof so as to closesaid gate member, said yieldable means being adjustable so as to yieldin response to a selected liquid pressure in said expansible chambermember.

2. An automatic gate closer for use with a weighing device of thecharacter described having a receiving-hopper equipped with a deliveryopening, a weigh-hopper placed to receive material from said opening ofsaid receiving-hopper, a gate member for said opening, and means foropening said gate member, including: a compressible container adapted tobe filled with a fluid and being connected to said weigh-hopper so thatthe fiuid in said container will be placed under pressure proportionateto the weight of material received in said weigh-hopper from saidreceiving-hopper; a cylinder-piston mechanism equipped with a valve forcontrolling the flow of an actuating fluid thereinto, said mechanismhaving a moving part connected to said gate member; an expansiblechamber member connected to said container so as to be expanded by thepressure of fluid therein; yieldable means resisting the expansion ofsaid expansible chamber member; means connecting said expansible chambermember to said valve so as to operate the valve in a manner to produce apressure of said actuating fluid in said cylinder-piston mechanism in adirection to move said moving part thereof so as to close said gatemember, said yieldable means being adjustable so as to yield in responseto a selected fluid pressure in said expansible chamber member; and aquick releasing detent means connected to said expansible chamber memberso as to resist expansion thereof with a fixed reaction and to suddenlyrelease when this action is overcome, whereby to produce a substantiallyinstantaneous operation of said valve.

3. An automatic gate closer for use with a weighing device of thecharacter described having a receiving-hopper equipped with a deliveryopening, a weigh-hopper placed to receive material from said opening ofsaid receiving-hopper, a gate member for said opening, and means foropening said gate member, including: a compressible container adapted tobe filled with a liquid and being connected to said weigh-hopper so thatthe liquid in said container will be placed under pressure proportionateto the weight of material received in said weigh-hopper from saidreceivinghopper; a cylinder-piston mechanism equipped with a valve forcontrolling the fiow of an actuating fluid thereinto, said mechanismhaving a moving part connected to said gate member; an expansiblechamber member connected to said container so as to be expanded by thepressure of liquid therein; yieldable means resisting expansive movementof said expansible chamber member until a predetermined pressure ofliquid has been reached in said expansible chamber member; and meansconnecting said expansible chamber member to said valve so as to operatethe valve in a manner to produce a pressure of said actuating fluid insaid cylinder-piston mechanism in a direction to move said moving partthereof so as to close said gate member, said yieldable means beingadjustable so as to yield in response to a selected liquid pressure insaid expansible chamber member.

4. An automatic gate closer for use with a weighing device of thecharacter described having a receiving-hopper equipped with a deliveryopening, a weigh-hopper placed to receive material from said opening ofsaid receiving-hopper, a gate member for said opening, and means foropening said gate member, including: a compressible container adapted tobe filled with a fluid and being connected to said weigh-hopper so thatthe fluid in said container will be placed under pressure proportionateto the weight of material received in said weigh-hopper from saidreceiving-hopper; a power operated actuating device having a controlelement; an expansible chamber member connected to said container so asto be expanded by fluid received under pressure from said container,said chamber member having a moving part connected to said controlelement of said actuating device; and yieldable means resisting movementof said moving part until a predetermined pressure of fluid has beenreached in said expansible chamber member, the movement of said controlelement by said moving part causing operation of said actuating deviceto close said gate member.

5. An automatic gate closer for use with a weighing device of thecharacter described having a receiving-hopper equipped with a deliveryopening, a weigh-hopper placed to receive material from said opening ofsaid receiving-hopper, a gate member for said opening, and means foropening said gate member, including: a compressible container adapted tobe filled with a fluid and being connected to said weigh-hopper so thatthe fluid in said container will be placed under pressure proportionateto the weight of material received in said weigh-hopper from saidreceiving-hopper; a power operated actuating device having a controlelement; an expansible chamber member connected to said container so asto be expanded by fluid received under pressure from said container,said chamber member having a moving part connected to said controlelement of said actuating device; yieldable means resisting movement ofsaid moving part until a predetermined pressure of fluid has beenreached in said expansible chamber member, the movement of said controlelement by said moving part causing operation of said actuating deviceto close said gate member; and. a quick releasing detent means alsoresisting the expansive movement of said chamber member with a fixedreaction and operating to suddenly release when this reaction isovercome, whereby to produce an instantaneous operation of said controlelement.

6. An automatic gate operating means adapted for use with a weighingdevice of the character described having a first bin and a second bin, agate for each of said bins, and a weigh-hopper in position to receivematerial from said bins, including first and second gate-operatingelements, each comprising a fluid-expanded member connected to itsassociated gate, a valve chamber, a fluid passage connecting said valvechamber to said fluid-expanded member, a discharge port leading fromsaid valve chamber, a relay duct leading from said valve chamber, afluid inlet for said valve chamber, and a valve member in said valvechamber adapted to two positions of operation, the first positionconnecting said inlet to said relay duct and said fluid passage to saiddischarge port, and the second position connecting said inlet to saidfluid passage and said discharge port to said relay duct; a source offluid under pressure connected to each of said inlets; a conduitconnecting said relay duct of said first gateoperating element to saiddischarge port of said second gate-operating element so that when saidvalve members are in said first position, fluid will flow from saidvalve chamber of said firs t gateoperating element to the fluid-expandedmember of said second gate-operating element to expand the same and holdthe gate connected therewith in closed position, said fluid-expandedmember of said first gate-operating element being at this time connectedto its discharge port so as to permit opening of the gate connectedthereto; and means, operative in response to weight of material in saidweigh-hopper, for consecutively moving said valve members from theirfirst to second positions.

7. A device of the character described, including: first and secondoperating elements, each comprising a fluid-expanded member, a valvechamber, a fluid passage connecting said valve chamber to saidfluid-expanded member, a discharge port leading from said valve chamber,a relay duct leading from said valve chamber, a fluid inlet for saidvalve chamber, and a valve in said valve chamber adapted to twopositions of operation, the first position of operation con-- nectingsaid inlet to said relay duct and said fluid passage to said dischargeport, and the second position connecting said inlet to said fluidpassage and said discharge port to said relay duct; a

source of fluid under pressure connected to each of said inlets; aconduit connecting said relay duct of said first operating element tosaid discharge port of said second operating element so that when saidvalves are in said first position of operation fluid will flow from thevalve chamber of said first operating element to the fluid-expandedmember of said second operating element to expand the same, thefluid-expanded member of said first operating element being at this timeconnected to its discharge port; and means for successively moving saidvalves from their first to their second positions of operation.

8. An operating element of the character described, including: afluid-expanded member; walls forming a valve chamber; fluid passagemeans connecting said valve chamber to said fluid-expanded member; wallsforming a discharge port for said valve chamber; walls forming a relayduct leading from said valve chamber; means for feeding fluid underpressure to said valve chamber; and a valve member in said valvechamber, said valve member having two positions of operation, the firstposition of operation connecting said valve chamber to said relay ductand said fluid passage means to said discharge port, and the secondposition of operation connecting said valve chamber to said fluidpassage means and said discharge port to said relay duct.

9. A device of the character described, including: an expansible memberadapted to be expanded in a direction corresponding to its axis inresponse to internal fluid pressure; a stationary wall at one end ofsaid expansible member; a movable end wall at the opposite end of saidexpansible member; stop means for limiting the inward movement of saidmovable wall; a spring for forcing said movable end wall inwardly toengage said stop means; a movable control member adjacent said movableend wall; means connecting said movable end wall to said control memberso as to hold said control member in a primary position when said endwall is in engagement with said stop means, and in secondary positionwhen said expansible member moves said end wall outwardly against theforce of said spring; and means for adjusting said spring to vary theforce which it exerts against said movable end wall, so as to vary thefluid pressure required in said expansible member to move said movableend wall outwardly from engagement with said stop means.

10. A device of the character described, including: an expansible memberadapted to be expanded in a direction corresponding to its axis inresponse to internal fluid pressure; a stationary wall at one end ofsaid expansible member; a movable end wall at the opposite end of saidexpansible member; stop means for limiting the inwardmovement of saidmovable wall; a spring for forcing said movable end wall inwardly toengage said stop means; a movable control member adjacent said movableend wall; means connecting said movable end wall to said control memberso as to hold said control member in a primary position when said endwall is in engagement with said stop means, and in secondary positionwhen said expansible member moves said end wall outwardly against theforce of said spring; means for adjusting said spring to vary the forcewhich it exerts against said movable end wall, so as to vary the fluidpressure required in said expansible member to move said movable endwall outwardly from engagement with said stop means; and quick releasingdetent means operatively engaging said control member when it is in saidprimary position, said detent means resisting the initial movement ofsaid movable end wall in outward direction.

11. An automatic gate closer for use with a weighing device having anaggregate hopper with a plurality of bins, each of which is providedwith a delivery chute, a weigh-hopper placed to receive material fromthe delivery chutes and supported by the weigh-beam of a scale, a gatemember normally closing each of the chutes and means for separatelyopening'each of the gate members, including: individual gate operatingelements adapted to close each of said gate members, each of saidelements including a piston movable in a cylinder and connected to oneof said gate members; a valve member movable to one position to directliquid under pressure into said cylinder to move said piston toclose-said gate member. connected thereto and movable to a secondposition to exhaust said liquid pressure from said cylinder, andpressure-responsive operating means for moving said valve member; andpressure-responsive controlling means associated with said weigh-beamand operable by the movement thereof to actuate said operating means ofeach of said elements to move said valve members to direct fluidpressure into said cylinder to close said gate members when the weightof the material delivered from each of said bins into said weigh hopperreaches a predetermined weight as registered through said weigh-beam onsaid scale.

12. An automatic gate closer for use with a weighing device of thecharacter described having a receiving-hopper equipped with a deliveryopening, a weigh-hopper placed to receive material from said opening ofsaid receiving-hopper, a gate member for said opening, and means foropening said gate member, including: a fluid container; means operatedby the change in weight of the contents of the weigh-hopper for placinga pressure on the fluid in said container proportionate to the weight ofthe contents of the weigh-hopper; and mechanism associated with saidgate member, connected to said fluid container and controlled by thepressure of fluid in said container and operating to close said gatemember when the weight of the material delivered from saidreceiving-hopper to said weighthopper reaches a predetermined weight.

13. An automatic gate closer for use with a weighing device of thecharacter described having a plurality of receiving-hoppers, each ofwhich is equipped with a delivery opening, a weigh-hopper placed toreceive material from said openings, a gate member for each of saidopenings and means for opening individually each gate member, including:a fluid container; means operated by the change in weight of thematerial in the weighhopper for placing a pressure on the fluid in saidcontainer proportionate to the weight of the material in saidweigh-hopper; and mechanism associated with each of said gate members,connected to said container and controlled by the pressure of fluid insaid container and operating to prevent the opening of said associatedgate member until the weight of material in said weigh-hopper reaches apredetermined value and to close said gate member when the weight ofmaterial in said weigh-hopper reaches a different predetermined value.

14. An automatic gate closer for use with a weighing device of thecharacter described having a receiving-hopper equipped with a deliveryopening, a weigh-hopper placedto receive material from said opening ofsaid receiving-hopper, a gate member for said opening, and means foropening said gate member, including: a fluid container; means operatedby the change in weight of the contents of the weigh-hopper for placinga pressure on the fluid in said container proportionate to the weight ofthe contents of the weigh-hopper; and mechanism associated with saidgate member and operable to close said gate member when the weight ofthe contents of said weigh-hopper reaches a predetermined value,v saidmechanism including a fluid-expanded member connected to said fluidcontainer and having a part which is moved by the pressure of saidfluid, and an actuating element connected to said gate member andcontrolled by the movement of said part of said fluid-expanded member.

15. An automatic gate closer for use with a weighing device having aplurality of receivinghoppers each with a delivery opening and a gatemember for each opening, a weigh-hopper connected to a weigh-beam whichindicates on a scale the weight of the contents of said weighhopper, andmeans for separately opening each of the gate members, including: afluid container; means operated by the movement of the weighbeam forplacing pressure on the fluid in said container proportionate to theweight of material in the weigh-hopper; fluid pressure responsive meansassociated with each of said gates, each of such means being connectedto said fluid container and operating to close each of the gate memberswhen the weight of material in said weigh-hopper reaches a predeterminedvalue; and means for preventing the opening of one of said gates untilthe other of said gates has been closed.

16. An automatic gate closer for use with a weighing device having aplurality of receivinghoppers each with a delivery opening and a gatemember for each opening, a weigh-hopper connected to a weigh-beam whichindicates on a scale the weight of the contents of said weighhopper, andmeans for separately opening each of the gate members, including: afluid container; means operated by the movement of the weighbeam forplacing pressure on the fluid in said container proportionate to theweight of material in the weigh-hopper; actuating means, fluid pressureoperated, associated with each of the gate members; a source of fluidpressure for said actuating means; and control means associated witheach of said actuating means and responsive to the fluid pressure insaid fluid container to connect said source of fluid pressure to each ofsaid actuating means for closing said gate members successively upon theweight in said weighhopper reaching predetermined successive values.

MARTIN MADSEN. ALBERT H. ZIEGLER. HARRY B. PARROT.

KAY A. RICHARDSON,

